Mahoning County Ranked Sixth as Missing Children Cases Surge
Mahoning County has been listed among the highest-risk areas for missing children in Ohio. The latest report has raised fresh concerns about child protection and safety across the state.
The 2025 Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse Report recorded 15,537 missing children cases statewide. Out of 19,930 total missing persons, children made up the majority.
Mahoning County recorded 775 missing children cases in 2025. This placed it sixth among all counties in Ohio.
Child protection experts say the figures show how vulnerable children remain. Many cases involve runaways, custody disputes, and family-related issues.
Statewide, 7,656 children ran away from home without permission. Authorities also recorded 22 parental abduction cases and two stranger abductions.
In addition, officials issued four AMBER Alerts involving children. All four children were safely recovered.
Meanwhile, 18 Endangered Missing Child Alerts were issued during the year. Seventeen children were found safe, while one child was confirmed dead.
Overall, 97.8 percent of missing children were recovered safely in 2025. Six children were confirmed dead across the state.
Despite the high recovery rate, child welfare advocates remain concerned. They say even short periods of disappearance can expose children to danger and trauma.
They warn that children may face exploitation, abuse, or unsafe environments during such incidents.
For this reason, experts are calling for stronger prevention systems. They want better family support, early intervention, and improved mental health services for children.
Law enforcement agencies continue to work with the National Crime Information Center. They also collaborate with local authorities to track and recover missing children quickly.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost described every missing child case as serious. He also praised law enforcement for their efforts in recovering children safely.
Child safeguarding groups say the report highlights a clear need for cooperation. They stress that families, schools, and authorities must work together to better protect children.
